Computer Cleanup Checklist

Please feel free to print this out and distribute!

What You Have to do to Keep Your PC Running Well

 

Let’s make a list of how and when you have to do things to keep your computer running as smoothly and rapidly as possible.

 

One Time Changes

1. Set the Virtual Memory to 4 times what your real memory (RAM) is, up to 4095MB.
2. Configure anti-virus programs to check every file and run once a day.
3. Configure anti-spyware programs to check every file and run once a day.
4. Purchase and install UPS/Battery Backup
5. Purchase and install blocking and filtering software for Web content.

 

Daily Procedures

1. Update anti-virus definitions.
2. Run anti-virus program.
3. Update anti-spyware definitions.
4. Run all anti-spyware programs.

 

Weekly Procedures

1. Update anti-virus definitions.
2. Run anti-virus program.
3. Update anti-spyware definitions.
4. Run all anti-spyware programs.
5. Delete all Temp and Temporary Internet Files (Cookies and History are optional).
6. Run Phase 1 Chkdsk – Fix Windows File System Errors.

 

Monthly Procedures

1. Run anti-virus program.
2. Update anti-spyware definitions.
3. Run all anti-spyware programs.
4. Delete all Temp and Temporary Internet Files (Cookies and History are optional).
5. Run Phase 1 Chkdsk – Fix Windows File System Errors.
6. Run Phase 2 Chkdsk – Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors.

 

 

 

 

Quarterly Procedures

1. Run anti-virus program.
2. Update anti-spyware definitions.
3. Run all anti-spyware programs.
4. Delete all Temp and Temporary Internet Files (Cookies and History are optional).
5. Run Phase 1 Chkdsk – Fix Windows File System Errors.
6. Run Phase 2 Chkdsk – Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors.
7. Run Disk Defragmenter.

 

Make sure you do these in the order listed. If you do something like defrag the hard driver and then delete a bunch of files right afterwards, you are back in the same Swiss cheese position you were before the defrag.